Robin Williams was eager to play the half-giant gamekeeper Hagrid in the Harry Potter films – but was turned down by producers on account of his nationality.
Casting director Janet Hirshenson has confirmed that Williams fell victim to the “Brits-only” rule imposed by producers on the series of films.
The part went to Robbie Coltrane, who was reportedly JK Rowling’s first choice for Hagrid.
He was also in the running for the part of a depressed professor in Little Miss Sunshine, which eventually went to Steve Carell.